Managing the Signs & Symptoms
of Alzheimer's Dementia
Alzheimer's Disease in its early stages can be initially difficult
to identify. The onset of the dementia of the Alzheimer's type is
gradual. The first indications of the disease may vary among persons
with Alzheimer. On casual observation the beginning signs may be subtle
and for a period only a single sign may be evident. The first signs
might include a problem with language, difficulty managing household
finances, decline in performance at an established job, getting lost
or disoriented in familiar surroundings, negative changes in mood
or behavioral interactions, and a pattern of misplacing things. The
persistent symptoms of disorientation, recent memory loss, functional
confusion, and inability to make rational decisions will increasingly
become evident as time passes.
Management of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease requires
increasing involvement of medical and mental health providers as the
condition progressive through the stages of the disease. Managing
Alzheimer's disease requires the skillful combination of medication
and supportive care from family caregivers and health care providers.
Medications can be prescribed for the purpose of enhancing and/or
maintaining the cognitive functioning of the person with Alzheimer's
dementia. In addition, medications are used to address adverse behavioral
symptoms, such as, agitation, paranoia, anxiety, insomnia, hallucinations,
and catastrophic reactions.
Besides the judicious use of medications, the use of environmental
interventions is essential. There is a common need to examine the
living space and arrangements to see if modifications can be implemented
to improve the safety and mental clarity of the person. Educational
support programs for family members and caregivers are very beneficial
in helping those caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease. Family
caregivers who increase their understanding of the disease and ways
to constructively deal with problems are better able to cope and help
the person remain emotionally stable. Structuring the daily routine
of the person's life has been shown to sustain the level of functioning
and satisfaction for all involved. Finally, activity programs that
help to minimize disruptive behaviors and enhance the person's remaining
strengths provide direction to maintaining a quality of life that
remains rewarding.
Appropriate behavioral management of difficult symptoms and problem
behaviors will always necessitate ongoing observation and monitoring.
The family caregiver, who shares their observations with health care
providers, can serve as an early warning sentry for the health professional.
Promptly identifying changes in the physical and mental functioning
can result in earlier interventions to optimize the wellbeing of the
person with Alzheimer's dementia, which is the goal of all of us involved.
